Cryptic crossword

ACROSS

1. Finishes wall − and half the plot − with flowers (8)

7. Something cast that one will take letter by letter (5)

8. Sounding like a number are joining him with a gin cocktail (7)

9. Was severely questioned over charcoal? (7)

10. Good soil will make one hit out: nothing in that! (4)

12. Nevertheless, it’s the wrong seed to have a cherry-stone in (7)

14. Pesters and worries the denizens of the sett (7)

17. Play on words at end of Lent may make progress at Cambridge (4)

18. Idle talk from Tom in Paris with better half (7)

21. Unsealing it is an opportunity (7)

22. Weapon can get broken with the French around (5)

23. Was set at liberty, so took out a fresh tenancy agreement (8)

DOWN

1. Choose lime I’m leaving for the conserve (6)

2. With liveliness also one consort is included (8)

3. Without hesitation Winter may be used to produce two (4)

4. Teased the threadbare (6)

5. Gong, a day short, may be set on the table (4)

6. At end of Alps mistakenly dug the French out of melted snow (6)

7. Take a little food involving mouth parts if one is wrong (5,2)

11. Grapple with the others at fifty when you and I are around (7)

13. Where to find panel members, being received by those hurt (8)

14. What may fasten belt may yield in a metallic way (6)

15. Exerted oneself to turn over the good man ahead (6)

16. In a past age determined to have it mounted in the theatre (6)

19. She is related to French one at the outside (4)

20. Stretch of water may form a part of some reservoir (4)